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China defends ally Pakistan after Trump criticism

 

U.S. President Donald Trump announces his strategy for the war in Afghanistan during an address to the nation from Fort Myer, Virginia, U.S., August 21, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - China defended its ally Pakistan on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States could no longer be silent about Pakistan's "safe havens" for militants and warned it had much to lose by continuing to "harbour terrorists".

 

Trump on Monday committed the United States to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan, signalling he would dispatch more troops to America's longest war and vowing "a fight to win".

 

Trump insisted that others - the Afghan government, Pakistan, India and NATO allies - step up their own commitment to resolving the 16-year conflict, but he saved his sharpest words for Pakistan.

 

Senior U.S. officials warned security assistance for Pakistan could be reduced unless the nuclear-armed nation cooperated more in preventing militants from using safe havens on its soil.

 

Critics say Pakistan sees militants such as the Taliban as useful tools to limit the influence of old rival India. Pakistan denies allowing militants refuge on its territory, saying it takes action against all groups.

 

Asked about Trump's speech, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Pakistan was on the front line in the struggle against terrorism and had made "great sacrifices" and "important contributions" in the fight.

 

"We believe that the international community should fully recognise Pakistan's anti-terrorism," she told a daily news briefing.

 

"We are happy to see Pakistan and the United States carry out anti-terror cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, and work together for security and stability in the region and world."

 

China and Pakistan consider each other "all-weather friends" and have close diplomatic, economic and security ties.

 

China has its own security concerns in the region, in particular any links between militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan and Islamist groups China blames for violence in its far western region of Xinjiang.

 

"We hope the relevant U.S. policies can help promote the security, stability and development of Afghanistan and the region," Hua said.

 

(Reporting by Michael Martina; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-08-22

[tonbridgebrit]

I really do think it's best if Washington does not criticise Pakistan in a public way. Washington needs Pakistan in the fight against terror. And if Washington is going to step up the war in Afghanistan, well, surely, even more important to have Pakistan as an ally.

How much money and military aid did Washington pump into Pakistan during the Bush and Obama years ? I think it was loads. Is it possible for Pakistan to refuse to allow Washington to supply American forces in Afghanistan ? As in, America needs Pakistan, the supplies going to the US forces in Afghanistan need to go through Pakistan's roads and/or airspace ?

[boomerangutang]

I actually agree with Trump on this issue.  Pakistan has been given too much leeway, on it's coddling of Taliban coming across the border, each direction, as easy as you get in and out of your car.

[simple1]

4 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

I actually agree with Trump on this issue.  Pakistan has been given too much leeway, on it's coddling of Taliban coming across the border, each direction, as easy as you get in and out of your car.

Pakistan has suffered thousands of deaths in it's security forces and civilians due to Islamist terror and in turn killed thousands of Islamists, more than likely similar numbers to the US in the area. 

 

Elements in Pakistani security forces have in the past supported Islamist fighters, question is do they still do so and if so to what extent and why. Some claim Pakistani security previous actions were in part due to counter Indian influence in Afghanistan and the ongoing low intensity conflict in Kashmir. Personally I do think Trump's comments encourage tensions between India and Pakistan, perhaps a wise member of the forum can explain what Trump hopes to achieve.

[Credo]

It would have been much better for him to speak softly on the issue of Pakistan.   Whatever is actually done regarding the relationship with them, it's better that the US stay in the driver's seat on the issue and shooting off the mouth and causing embarrassment and loss of face will be counter productive.   

 

China would love to forge a stronger security situation with Pakistan and all that could play into a lot of things, including NK and Iran.   

 

It's never a good idea to throw a lit match around a gas leak.   

[GinBoy2]

Maybe less talk, the real lever on Pakistan is money. 

We give Pakistan $1B a year for the coalition support fund. Paying them to do what they are supposed to do makes no sense. We give them access to F-16's which is supposed to support anti terrorist activities which is nonsense.

To put this in perspective we have spent close to $1T, yes Trillion $, in Afghanistan, and for what?

 

Personally the fact that for 16 years we have continued to support Pakistan, while they continue to support the Taliban makes no sense.

 

The real enemy in Afghanistan is Pakistan, and for 16 years we have piled troops into Afghanistan, been fighting the wrong enemy.

 

Not a fan of Trump, but thankfully he seems to have dumped his campaign rhetoric and listened to some of the grown ups in the room

[dunroaming]

If only everything was black and white like in the old western movies.  Unfortunately in the real world they are not and everything is shades of grey.  The situation with Pakistan and Afghanistan and most of the other terrorist related countries is very complicated and will not be solved with any sort of "quick fix" approach.  Trump is way out of his depth with all this with his usual bluster and ignorant rhetoric. 

[craigt3365]

19 hours ago, tonbridgebrit said:

I really do think it's best if Washington does not criticise Pakistan in a public way. Washington needs Pakistan in the fight against terror. And if Washington is going to step up the war in Afghanistan, well, surely, even more important to have Pakistan as an ally.

How much money and military aid did Washington pump into Pakistan during the Bush and Obama years ? I think it was loads. Is it possible for Pakistan to refuse to allow Washington to supply American forces in Afghanistan ? As in, America needs Pakistan, the supplies going to the US forces in Afghanistan need to go through Pakistan's roads and/or airspace ?

Pakistan currently harbors terrorists and supports them. Bin Laden was among them. No sympathy from me. They aren't helping, they are hurting the war on terror.

 

Cut off aid, see how it works.